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A16 Copa MX Week 1 Review: Tuesday’s Games

Alebrijes de Oaxaca 0-0 Murciélagos – Group 4
Neither Alebrijes de Oaxaca nor Murciélagos could find the breakthrough in this all-Ascenso MX match to start their Copa MX campaigns. The home team had the better of play in the first half, but the final touch left something to be desired as all their attempts went either well wide or directly to the goalkeeper. As for Murciélagos, their chances were largely limited to set pieces.

Little changed in the second half; Oaxaca continued to find chances, win corner kicks, and keep Javier Romo the busier of the two goalkeepers, but truly dangerous goalscoring opportunities were few and far between. With the 0-0 draw, Alebrijes and Murciélagos both reach one point.

FC Juárez 5-0 Veracruz – Group 7
FC Juárez got their Copa campaign off to a great start with a 5-0 thrashing of the reigning champions. Veracruz nearly made it to halftime with the goalless draw still intact after Édgar Melitón Hernández made several great saves, but a penalty kick broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Leandro Carrijo opened the scoring from the spot after a foul by Horacio Cervantes, and the hosts never looked back after that.

In the second half, Sidnei Sciola made it 2-0 in the 54th minute before Antonio Briseño headed home Juárez’s third just minutes later. The Tiburones Rojos were never able to react and Briseño scored his second with another header in the 66th. Finally, in the 90th minute, Raúl Enríquez put a cherry on top of the win with his goal to make it 5-0. With the victory, FC Juárez reaches three points while Veracruz remains on zero.

Cruz Azul 2-0 Coras Tepic – Group 3
Cruz Azul earned a shutout victory against Coras Tepic in their opening Copa MX game thanks to a pair of second-half goals. The visitors started the game well and even had the first chance, but Jesús García was able to keep Armando González’s effort out. La Máquina’s own attacks were stymied by Tepic’s well-organized defense, and it wasn’t until the 60th minute that they found the breakthrough.

Joao Rojas, who is still serving a suspension in league play, scored Cruz Azul’s opener after a pinpoint pass from “Chaco” Giménez. Then, six minutes later, Jonathan Cristaldo earned a penalty kick and the new signing took it himself to make it 2-0 for the home team. Coach Tomás Boy was ejected in the 70th minute, but Cruz Azul nevertheless remained organized and kept the lead. With the 2-0 win, Cruz Azul reaches three points while Coras Tepic remains on zero.

Tijuana 3-0 Toluca – Group 6
Tijuana took an early lead and never lost it en route to a 3-0 win over Toluca in Group 6 action. The Xolos fielded a much-changed lineup from this weekend’s Liga MX match, but the alternative team still outclassed Toluca. The Diablos Rojos have yet to find their footing in either league or cup play, and the hosts took the lead in the 10th minute when Paul Arriola’s shot from inside the box found the back of the net.

Just minutes later, Amando Moreno made it 2-0 and the game already seemed out of reach for Toluca with less than 15 minutes gone. It wasn’t all good news for Tijuana, though, as Alejandro Guido had to be subbed out in the first half with an injury, but his replacement, Sául Pérez, scored the Xolos’ third goal moments before halftime. With the 3-0 win, Tijuana reaches three points while Toluca remains on zero.